The Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) are all set to make some smart moves in the IPL 2024 auction, as they look to reclaim their lost glory. The franchise has released some of their star players, such as Phil Salt and Manish Pandey, ahead of the auction. The aim is to bring in fresh talents and fill the gaps in their team composition.
KKR have a rich history of winning the IPL twice, and they have also roped in their former captain Gautam Gambhir, who led them to both the titles, as a mentor. The fans are eagerly waiting to see what Gambhir and the team management have in store for them.
KKR have retained their captain Rishabh Pant, along with Pravin Dubey, David Warner, Vicky Ostwal, Prithvi Shaw, Anrich Nortje, Abishek Porel, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel, Lungi Ngidi, Lalit Yadav, Khaleel Ahmed, Mitchell Marsh, Ishant Sharma, Yash Dhull, and Mukesh Kumar. They have a purse of INR 32.70 crore remaining, and they will need to spend wisely to build a balanced and competitive squad.
Who are the players they might target in the auction? Here are five potential candidates:
Pat Cummins:
The Australian pace spearhead is a familiar face for KKR, as he was part of their squad in 2022. He is also the ODI and Test captain of Australia, and he brings a lot of experience and leadership to the table. He can bowl with pace, swing, and accuracy, and he can also contribute with the bat. He could be a key player for KKR, as they look to revamp their bowling attack.
Gerald Coetzee:
The young South African pacer is a rising star in the T20 format. He can bowl with pace and aggression, and he can also hit some big shots with the bat. He impressed everyone with his skills during the ODI World Cup 2023 in India, and he could be a great addition to KKR’s pace attack, which lacks any retained pacers.
Mitchell Starc:
The left-arm pacer is one of the best in the world, and he is set to make a comeback in the IPL after a long gap. He can provide the team with a reliable bowling option and add depth to their fast-bowling department. He can also deliver under pressure, and he could be a game-changer for KKR in crucial moments.
David Willey:
The English all-rounder had a decent campaign in the ODI World Cup 2023. He can bat in the top order or the middle order, and he can also bowl off-spin. He can play both aggressive and anchor roles, and he can also field superbly. He could be a valuable addition to KKR’s squad, as they look to bolster their all-round capabilities.
Shardul Thakur:
The all-rounder was released by KKR after the IPL 2023 season, but he remains a player of interest for the franchise. He played a vital role in the team’s campaign on many occasions during the past season, contributing with fiery pace and valuable batting performances. He could be a handy player for KKR, as they look to strengthen both their bowling and batting departments.
These are some of the players KKR could target in the IPL 2024 auction, but they will face tough competition from other teams. KKR have a reputation of being a smart and aggressive bidder, and they will hope to assemble a strong team for the upcoming season. Will they be able to challenge for the title in IPL 2024? The suspense is mounting.
